Amusement apparatus



May 21, 1929. '5 LESTER 1,713,703

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed April 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l 10 7 (9 1 P 6 iii?- 5 Y 1'5 2 j 6 E 3 15 May 21, 1929. LESTER 1,713303 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed April 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Shet 2 May 21, 1929. B. LESTER AMUSEMEN T APPARATUS Filed April 28, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented May 21, 1929.

UNITED STATES BURTONLESTER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Application filed April 28, 1928, Serial No. 273,577, and. in Great Britain May 9, 1927.

This invention is for improvements in amusement apparatus of the kind in which a passenger-support is caused to rotate about an upstanding axis and may at the same time be given an up and down motion.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple construction combining the above motions in various ways so as to give new and amusing sensations and thrills.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein, more particularly for the amusement of adults, the passenger-support has imparted to it a rapid and unexpected change in motion; while in a modified construction suitable more particularly for children, the movement of the passenger platform may be so controlled that the rate of change of movement is comparatively uniform, so as to avoid undue shocks.

In one form of the invention a means is provided for tripping orreleasing the inner end of a controlling pole when the passengerplatform is at its highest point so that the latter with its occupants drop suddenly and swiftly to near their starting position, the fall of the platform and the load being checked by springs, air compressors or any other suitable means. a

In another form of the invention the inner end of the pole is permanently attached to a chain in such a manner as to cause the passenger-platform to be raised and lowered at a regular rate of speed while revolving. This form of the device is built for children and those desiring a mild form of pleasure.

The following is a description of amuse ment apparatus according to this invention and includes descriptions of alternative arrangements for effecting the movement of a pole according to the sensations desired, viz, whether the apparatus is to be used for children or adults.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which 1 Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a plan of a part of the .appara tus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation. on a scale larger than that of Figures 1 and 2, of one of the beam frames showing the pole thereon at the inner end of its travel.

Figure 4 is a plan of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 3. l Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 4. l 1

Figure 6 is part elevation the beam.

frame corresponding to Figure 3 but showing the pole at the outer end of its travel.

Figure 7 is a side elevation, on a scale larger than that of the preceding figures, showing a detent for holding the pole in the position shown in Figure 6..

Figure 8 is an elevation of a beam frame showing means for effecting a regular inward and outward movement of the pole, and

Figure 9 is a plan of the apparatus shown in Figure 8.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

In Figures 1 and 2 a tower-frame 1 is shown mounted on wheels 2 which engage with a circular horizontal track 3 whereby the tower-frame may be caused to revolve about a vertical axis. Fixed to the lower end of the tower-frame and extending radially therefromv are four, or any other suitable number of, preferably evenly spaced beamframes 4. The outer end of each beamframe is-supported by a wheel .5 carried by a bracket 6. The beam-frames are braced together by rods 7. The beam frames each comprise two parallel channel members 8 which extend outwardly away from the tower frame. The channel members form a guideway in which a crosshead 9 is slidably moun ed. A radially extending pole 10 is pivotally secured at its inner end to each crosshead, and a link 11 is secured between the outer endof each pole at 12 and the top of the tower at 13. A passen ger-platform 14 is secured at the outer end of each pole. which platform may take the form of a bucket, or seat or other device.

It will be seen that with this arrangement, if the crosshead is moved outwardly along the beam frame, the passenger platform will be moved upwardly and outwardly against the action of gravity. The parts may be designed to give any desired amount of lift according to the sensation required. In Figures 3 to 6 means are shown for mechanically moving the pole upwardly and outwardly and for permitting it to return under the action of gravity. An endless chain 15 is arranged to extend along each beam. frame beneath the pole and is carried by sprocket wheels 16 arranged one at each end of the beam frame. Each inner sprocket wheel is driven by gearing 17 from the track wheel 2, and each chain is provided with an upstanding projection 18. Thus the rotation the bears frames proceeds simultaneously with feed of the chains. Each crosshead has pivoted to it a finger 19 which may be swung downwardly into the outward path of V movement of said projection. Thus as the projection moves towards the outer end of the beam frame it carries with it the crosshead and inner end of the pole. i

'VVhen the projection onthe chain passes round the outer sprocket wheel it frees'itself from the finger on the crosshead and'thepole and crosshead are then free unless otherwise a prevented to return towardsthe tower frame -lever '51 is mounte j ection 18.

The crossh'eadmay be retained at the outer end of the beamframe by detents 21 illustrated in Figure 7." Eachdetent comprises a lever arm '22pivotally mounted at 23in a recess 24 in the lower flange of one of the channel members. The lever arm carries a i pin 25 which extends outwardly through a slot 26 in theweb ofthe channel member. A slotted link 27 is pivoted on theoutside of the channelmembe'r and theslot 28 in the link engages said pin. The lever arm 22 is maintained normally in the path of travel of the crosshead by means of a spring 29, and

the crosshea'd on its outward journey force's the lever arm downwardly againstithe action ofthe spring; Vl hen the crosshead reaches 1ts outermost position, the lever arm springs up again and retains the crosshead in position. 'The detents may be released at will 'fromthe inner endof the beam frame by a lever 30 (see Figures 3 and l) mounted on :a crankshaft 31 which is connected by cables 32 to the slotted links. e

In Figures 3 to 6 two; shown which extend along the beam frame and are carried by cr'adles 34 (See Figure 5) which slide in channel'guides-35. The said channel guides constitute lowerme'mbe'rs of tliebeam frame, and the cylinders are considerablv shorter t-hant-he'beam frame and have formed at'e'a'ch end outstanding lugs 36. Pro ecting from the underside of each crosshead are two fork-members 37 each of which is arranged to embrace loosely one of the cylinders. This arrangement affords a lost motion connection between the 'crosshead and the-cylinders. A piston 38 is located in each cylinder and is connected by a piston rod 39 to a shaft l0 secured at the inner end of each beam-frame; ;On the outward journey of the crosshead the forks thereon engage with .theforwardlugs on the cylinders and carry the cylinders outwardly. After the aforementioned detent is released, the forks will travel cylinders 33' are V V not restrlcted to the precise constructional freely over the cylinders until they engage the lugs at the 1nner ends thereof whereupon the cylinders and pistons will act as buffers and bring the crosshead and pole to rest. The movement of the passenger platforms during the aforesaid lost motion is free and sensation-providing, while the buifers ensure perfect safety. Any convenient number of chains and buffer cylinders, may be provided.

The track on which the tower frame is mounted carries a'circular rack ll and the tower is caused to be rotated by a motor 42 mounted conveniently on one of the beam frames and coupled to the shaft 43 of. one of thetrack Wheels. The track wheel has secured to it a pinion a l which engages the said rack. a V

In Figures 89 is shown means for connecting thecrossheadto the endless chains whereby ac'ontinuous and uniform outward and inward motion may be imparted to the poles.

cross bar. 011 they outward journey the crosshead is moved by the cross bar-pressing againstthelinger while on the inwardjourney the crosshead is prevented from moving any more quickly than the chain, asit might otherwise do under the action of gravity, by

reason of the contact of the depending finger with the cross bar. i

F rom the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the poles are capable of'being rotated and of having oneend lifted to any preferred height simultaneously with t-he rotation and i then'su'ddenly or slowly dropped through space in a continuous travelling motion; alternatively the polemay have its end. maintained raised while continuing to rotate, the

control of the motionbeing at thewill of the operator located adj acentto the tower.

It is to be understood that the invention is details set forth.

'Iclaimif 1. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a frame, meansfor rotating the frame about an upstanding axis a movable pole carried by said frame means for con straining one end of said pole to move on said frame towards and away from the up standing axis, a link' secured between the other end of the pole and a part of the frame which is above the constraining means, means "for moving the pole towards and away from said upstanding axis while subject. to the control of said constraining means and-"link and a passenger support on-said pole. v

2; An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a frame, means for rotating the frame about an'upstanding axis, a'movable pole radially disposed in relation to said axis and carried by said. frame, one end of which pole is constrained to move in said frame radially in ahorizontal plane towards and away from the said axis, a link secured be tween the other end of the pole and a part of the frame which is above the constraining means, means for moving the pole towards and away from said upstanding axis while subject to the control of said constraining means and link, and a passenger support on said pole.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a frame, means for rotating the frame aboutan upstanding axis, a guideway in said frame extending away from said axis, a crosshead slidably mounted in the guideway, a movable pole one end of which is pivotally connected to the crosshead, a link secured between the other end of the pole and a part of the frame above the guideway, means for moving the crosshead along the guideway, and a passenger support on said pole.

4. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination, a frame, means for rotating the frame about an upstanding axis, a passenger support so carried on the frame as to share its rotary movement and as to be movable upwardly and outwardly away from the said axis, means for effecting mechanically the last said movement, means for permitting the passenger support to return by gravity towards said axis and a dampingdevice for bringing said passenger support to rest during its inward journey.

5. An amusement apparatuscomprising in combination, a frame, means for rotating the frame about an upstanding axis, a passenger support so carried on the frame as to share its rotary movement and as to be movable up- 'wardly and outwardly away from the said axis, means for effecting mechanically the last said movement, mechanism'for releasing the passenger support from the last said. means whereby it is returned by gravity towards said upstanding axis and a damping device for bringing said passenger support to rest on its inward journey.

6. An amusement apparatus comprisingin combination a frame, means for rotating the frame about an upstanding axis, a movable pole carried by said frame, means for constraining one end of said poleto moveon said frame towards and away from the upstanding axis, a link secured between the other end of the pole and a part of the frame which is above'the constraining means, means for moving mechanically the pole outwardly away from said axis, mechanism for releasing the pole from the last said mechanism whereby the pole is returned by gravity towards the said axis and a passenger support on said pole.

7. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a frame, means for rotating the frame about an upstanding axis, a movable pole carried by said frame, means for constraining one end of said pole to move on saidframe towards and away from the upstanding axis, a link secured between the other end of the pole and a part of the frame which is'above the constraining means, means for moving mechanically the pole outwardly away from said axis, means for maintaining constraining one end of said pole to move on said frame towards and away from the upstanding axis, a link secured between the other end of the pole and a partof the frame which is above the constraining means, means for moving mechanically the pole outwardly away from sai d axis, means for maintaining the pole in its outermost position, means for releasing the pole so as to permit it to return by gravity towards said axis and a passenger support on said pole.

9. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a track, a tower-frame adapted to rotate on said track about an upstanding axis, a plurality of beam-frames secured to and extending outwardly away from the lower end of the tower-frame, a pole so mounted on each beanrframe as to be slidable therealong and as to. extend outwardly away from the tower-framc,,a passengerrsupport secured towards the outer end of each pole, means for rotating said towerframe and'means for raising and lowering the outer end of each pole.

10. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a track, a tower-frame adapted to rotate on said track about anupstandingaxis, a plurality of beam-frames secured; to and extending outwardly away from the-lower end of the tower-frame, a movable pole carried by each of said beam- -frames, means for constraining the inner end of each pole to, move along each beam-frame towards and away from said axis, a hill; se cured between the other end of each pole and the top part of the tower-frame, meansfor moving the poles towards and away from the said axis and a passenger-platforn1 on each pole. I l

11. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a track, a tower-frame adapted to rotate on said track about anupstanding axis, a plurality of beal'n-frames secured to and extending outwardly away from the "lower end of the tower-frame, a guideway along each beam-frame, a crosshead slidably mounted in each guideway, a

' adapted to rotate standing axis,

' the pole, means for said frame towards and away tromthe upalink secured between the other end of the pole and a part of the frame which is above the constraining means, a travelling band arranged to extend along connecting the constrained end of the pole totheband, and a 1 passenger-platform on said pole. 2o

13. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a track, a tower-frame on-said track about an upstanding axis, a plurality of beam-frames secured to and extending outwardly away from the lower end of the tOWBPfltHlG, a guldewayalong eachbeam-frame, a cross- 'he'ad slidably mounted in each guideway, a movable :pole pivotallygconnected to each crosshead', a link between the other end of .each poleand a'top part of the tower-frame,

an endless chain device carried by and extending along each said beam-frame beneath each pole, means for connecting and disconnecting each said chain from each said crosshead, means for moving said endless chain, and a fpassenger-platform oneach said pole.

1%. An amusement apparatuscomprising in combination a'track, a tower-frame adapted to rotate on sa1d track about an upstandring axis, a plurality of beam-frames secured to-and extending outwardly away from the V lower endof the tower-frame, a movable pole I a y carried by each of said beam-frames, means for constraining the inner endof each pole to move along each beam-frame towards and from sa1d axls, a buffercylinder so mounte frame, and a passenger platform on each saidpole.

15. An amusement apparatus comprising in combination a track, a'tower-frame adapted to rotate on said track about an upstand-W i'ngaxis, a plurality ofbeam-trames secured to and extending outwardly awayfrom the lower endof the towerframe, a guideway along each beam-frame,

mounted in each guideway, a movable pole pivotally connected to each crosshead, a link o between the other end of each pole and a top I part'of the towerdrame, an endless chain device carried by and extending along each seidheam trame beneath each pole, means tor das to be movable along each beamframe, means for connecting each cylinder to the constrainedend of eachsaid pole, pistons. in said cylinders and connected to the towera crosshead slidably connecting and disconnecting each said chain irom each sa1d crosshead, means for moving sa1d endless cha n, a buffer cylinder somount- .ed as to be movable along each beam-frame, a lostmot on connection vbetween the cylin ders and crossheads, pistonsin and cylinders and connectedto the tower'irame, and a pas;

senger platform on each said pole."

16. An amusement apparatus comprising in combinationa track, a tower-frame adapted to rotate on said track about; an upstanding axis, a plurality of beam-framessecured to and extending outwardly away tron ithe lower end oi 'the tower-frame, a 'uideway along each beam-framaa crossheaol slidably mounted in each guideway along each beam frame, a crosshead mounted slidably in each guideway, a detent in each guideway for retaining the crosshead in its outermost position,means ior releasing said detent, a mov: able pole plvotally connected to each crosshead,

a link between the other; end of each pole and a top part of the tower-frame, means for moving each crosshead inwardly and outwardly along each beam-frame and a passenger platform on each, pole.

17; An amusement apparatus comprising in combinatlon a track, a tower frame adaptedto rotate on said, trackabo utan' upstanding axis, a plurality of beam-frames secured to'and extending outwardly away iromthe lower end of the tower-frame, a guideway alongeach beam-frame a crosshe'adslidably mounted 1n each guideway, ,a movableflpole plvotally connected to each crosshead, almk each said beamfirame beneath each pole, an up standing projection on each said. endless Chillll, a movable finger on, each said crosshead-adapted to engage said 'projection, means on said crosshead which normally travel of V said 'projection, means carried at theinner end of the beam-frame formovlng said finger intoeng'agement with the promeans for moving said endless chain,

ect on,

and a passenger platform on eachsaid pole. V Q18. Anamusement apparatus comprising in combination, a frame, means for rotating the frame about an upstandinglaxis, apa'ssenger support so carried on the frame as to share its rotary movement, and as to be movable upwardly and outwardly away from the said axis, means for eifectin g mechanically the last said movement, means for permitting the passenger support to return freely under the action of gravity for apart oi therinward journey,v and ,a damping device torfbringi mg sa1d passenger support during the remaining part of the inward journey) In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

between theother end 'ofeach pole and atop part of. the tower-framaan endless chain device carried by and extending along tends to move said fingerout of the path of V 

